Nathan Walker’s journey to the NHL has been a long and difficult road, full of sacrifices and hard work. Saturday night, he will become the first Australian to ever play in the NHL. But more importantly, he will just be another young hockey player who has done what it takes to realize a nearly impossible dream.

Before tonight, Walker wasn’t a household name among Caps fans after spending the last handful of years buried in the minors. But Saturday morning — hours before his big night — Walker was already signing a customized number 79 Caps jersey for a fan.

Reader Sheena Dunn was the one who got it signed and explained she bought it this morning.

I was checking out the great deals at morning skate at Kettler, and asked if they could make me a Walker jersey. It was the first one they had made! After the skate I called him over and asked him to sign it. As a fan who has followed him since he was drafted, I’m so excited he is in DC!

Walker seemed very happy to oblige.

Photos: Sheena Dunn

I have a feeling that Walker’s Australian connection and his scrappy style is going to make him a lot of fans. And this will be the first of many sweaters he will sign during his NHL career.